The friar took Robin Hood on his back,
Deep water he did bestride,
And spake neither good word nor bad
Till he came to the other side.
Lightly leap'd Robin off the friar's back,
The friar said to him again,
Carry me over the water, fine fellow,
Or it shall breed thee pain.
Robin Hood took the friar on his back,
Deep water he did bestride,
And spake neither good nor bad
Till he came to the other side.
Lightly leap'd the friar off Robin Hood's back,
Robin said to him again,
Carry me over the water thou curtal friar,
Or it shall breed thee pain.
The friar he took Robin Hood on his back again
And stepp'd up to his knee;
Till he came to the middle of the stream
Neither good nor bad spake he;
And coming to the middle of the stream
There he threw Robin in;
And choose thee, choose thee, fine fellow,
Whether thou wilt sink or swim.
ROBIN HOOD AND THE CURTALL FRYER.